Millett zoom dot

[dwhitehorne]

Well I finally got my zoom dot mounted and took it out to the range on Wednesday. There is not much information on the net about the zoom dot so I thought I would post up some pictures.

I was looking to try this American made sight and I wanted to try something different for a change so I ordered the zoom dot. I placed the order in the middle of August from a website I found called US Armament. $278 shipped and I had it a week later. When I opened up the box and powered up the sight I noticed the red dot had a black void on the bottom half. So I called up Millett and they said mail it back. No returne number or nothing just send it in. Well I was kind of nervous but 3 weeks later and Millett sent me a replacement zoom dot. This one works great so far.

The three photos below of the red dots are set on the smallest then about the middle and then the largest size. I would say the brightness of the dot is great indoors and it worked fine on the covered rifle range I go to. I haven't had a bright sunny day yet to try is out with.

http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i260/dwhitehorne/IMG_0788.jpg
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i260/dwhitehorne/IMG_0786.jpg
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i260/dwhitehorne/IMG_0787.jpg

Here is the battery cap off with the battery exposed.
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i260/dwhitehorne/IMG_0770.jpg

This is the two adjustment screws. They are just exposed allen wrench screws surrounded by an O ring to seal it. Waterproof, I guess we will see. They jsut turn freely and don't have any clicks.
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i260/dwhitehorne/IMG_0767.jpg

The scope covers are rubber and actually pretty nice. They lock in place but I'm am curious how long they will last.
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i260/dwhitehorne/IMG_0774.jpg

The mount that comes with it is actually nice but too low to co witness with the AR
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i260/dwhitehorne/IMG_0780-1.jpg
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i260/dwhitehorne/IMG_0778.jpg

Here it is mounted to my STAG
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i260/dwhitehorne/IMG_0784.jpg
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i260/dwhitehorne/IMG_0785.jpg

I've got the battery on and am going to leave it to see how long it lasts. David

[LettersFromEarth]

Looks good, man! Glad to see it getting some press around here. Let us know what you find out as there are a few (including me) users of the optic floating in and around this site.

Also, How are you liking your ADM mount? Im a LaRue fan but for some reason Im starting to look more and more at the ADM stuff as a possible alternative. I still havent broke down and bought one yet as Im unsure if I will burn in hell for doing so but...:) Take care.

[dwhitehorne]

I got the ADM mount solely because that is what VA arms carries and I try to support them as much as I can. To tell you the truth I was frustrated my first time out. I drove the hour it takes to get to the rifle range and within 2 shots the bottom of the ring base moved and the red dot dropped to the bottom of the front sight post.

I had cleaned all the threads two days before and used the red thread lock that came with the mount. I followed the instructions to the letter and tightened everything up. On my second shot the dot moved and I thought I had done something wrong. Well I checked all of the screws and they were tight but while holding the rifle I could rock the scope ring about 1mm up and down. Well I had all my tools with me so I removed and reinstalled everything starting with the bottom screws. Within a few shots the dot was moving again. I have a nice allen wrench set and was tightening the bottom two screws down until I was getting nervous about stripping them but I could still rock the scope ring. The base of the mount is nice and was rock solid on the rifle.

Well I went home and of course did not have the box or sales receipt so I did not want to bother trying to return the mount. I went ahead and cleaned everything off again and used epoxy on the bottom of the ring to seal everything up. Once the metal set dried nothing is moving now. I went to an indoor range Friday and put 160 rounds down range to check that everything was tight. Now that everything is working properly I am pleased. These quick release mounts are very nice and are so much better than anything I had in the military 20 years ago.

Here is a picture of the metal set along the base of the scop ring. You can see how I built it up on the right side of the base. That small amount was enought to keep everything stable so there is no movement now. David
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i260/dwhitehorne/IMG_0796.jpg

[LettersFromEarth]

Well...Im glad your "fix" has worked for you but... Man, that is a bit of a downer, though. I'd at least make ADM hip to your problem. I hear they have a good CS department and should make things right with you. I would think that they would want to get it back so as not to have something that is out of spec floating about with their name on it.
Let us know what you do on this as Im thinking about getting one of their mounts myself (but this kinda freaks me out a bit.).

So what are your thoughts regarding the Z/Dot? I've had mine for awhile now and I think its a pretty good RDS and the fact that its now U.S. made is a big plus to some. I wonder how the Bushnell thing is gonna work for them on this, though. If production stays here in the States I forsee a bright future for the optic. We shall see. Take care.

[UNIT 6639]

This may be off topic, but, David, could you post pics of the whole rifle with the red dot attached, from the close up pics, it looks like you have a nice AR setup ;)

[dwhitehorne]

You know I'm not worried about the mount. I just wanted to get it mounted and put some rounds down range with my new sight. I think ADM had a fine product and I may just get the cantillever mount and try the 1/3 cowitness. I have have always been an absolute cowitness guy but with this adjustable dot the front sight post seem to be in the way when the dot is small.

I really like the zoom dot so far. I have been up in the air over the 2 or 4 moa dots the aimpoint offers. I wasn't planning on using magnification but I was torn on which dot size to get. When I heard about the zoom dot's adjustable size and the fact it was American made me want to try it. Millett has some big shoes to fill trying to come in behind Aimpoint. Especially with the auto adjust brightness feature. I haven't used it in bright sun but I have been told it works well. My little 6P doesn't wash the dot out.

Since I had to return my original scope I spoke to Bill at Millett's customer service a few times. When Bill called me and said my scope was on the way, I asked him about the buy out. Bill said he was concerned for his job and didn't know much about what was going on. Hopefully Bushnell with continue with the Zoom Dot and keep it made in the USA.

UNIT6639. I'm on the beat now. I will post a pic of my UTG special later. David